Gregg Berhalter hired as U.S. soccer coach

Gregg Berhalter was hired Sunday to coach the U.S. men’s national team, making him the first person to run the Americans after playing for them at the World Cup.

Berhalter who spent the past five seasons as coach of Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew, represents a generational change for an American team staggered by its failure to reach this year’s World Cup after seven consecutive appearances at soccer’s showcase.

“Every single day he tries to develop himself so he can be a better leader for the team that he has,” said U.S. general manager Earnie Stewart, who made the decision approved by the U.S. Soccer Federation board of directors. “That is something that really stood out with Gregg and went a long way in the decision to offer him the job.”

The 45-year-old was long viewed as the front-runner for a job that stayed open for nearly 14 months. He is the second youngest coach for the Americans in four decades; Steve Sampson was 38 when he took over in 1995.

Berhalter takes over for Dave Sarachan, who was named the interim coach after Bruce Arena, in his second stint as U.S. coach, resigned after the Americans failed to qualify for the World Cup.

Arena had replaced Jurgen Klinsmann, who was fired after an 0-2 start to the final round of qualifying.